Canberra

Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of 367, 000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory(ACT), 280 km (170 mi) south-west of Sydney, and 660 km (410 mi) north-east of Melbourne. A resident of Canberra is known as a " Canberran".

The site of Canberra was selected for the location of the nation's capital in 1908 as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two largest cities. It is unusual among Australian cities, being an entirely planned city outside of any state, similar to the American Federal District of Columbia. Following an international contest for the city's design, a blueprint by the Chicago architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin was selected and construction commenced in 1913. The Griffins' plan featured geometric motifs such as circles, hexagons and triangles, and was centred around axes aligned with significant topographical landmarks in the Australian Capital Territory.

The city's design was heavily influenced by the garden city movement and incorporates significant areas of natural vegetation that have earned Canberra the title of the " bush capital". The growth and development of Canberra were hindered by the World Wars and the Great Depression, which exacerbated a series of planning disputes and the ineffectiveness of a sequence of bodies that were to oversee the development of the city. The national capital emerged as a thriving city after World War II, as Prime Minister Robert Menzies championed its development and the National Capital Development Commission was formed with executive powers. Although the Australian Capital Territory is now self-governing, the federal government retains some influence through the National Capital Authority.

As the seat of the government of Australia, Canberra is the site of Parliament House, the High Court and numerous government departments and agencies. It is also the location of many social and cultural institutions of national significance, such as the Australian War Memorial, Australian National University, Australian Institute of Sport, National Gallery, National Museum and the National Library. The Australian Army's officer corps are trained at the Royal Military College, Duntroon and the Australian Defence Force Academy is also located in the capital.

The ACT, like Washington, D.C. in the United States, is independent of any state, to prevent any one state from gaining an advantage by hosting the seat of Federal power. Unlike Washington, however, the ACT has voting representation in the Federal Parliament, and has its own independent Legislative Assembly and government, similar to the states.

As the city has a high proportion of public servants, the federal government contributes the largest percentage of Gross State Product and is the largest single employer in Canberra. As the seat of government, the unemployment rate is lower and the average income higher than the national average, while property prices are relatively high, in part due to comparatively restricted development regulations. Tertiary education levels are higher, while the population is younger.

The National Museum of Australia established in 2001 records Australia's social history and is one of Canberra's more architecturally daring buildings.

The Shine Dome

Many Commonwealth government buildings in Canberra are open to the public, including Parliament House, the High Court and the Royal Australian Mint.

Lake Burley Griffin is the site of the Captain James Cook Memorial and the National Carillon. Other sites of interest include the Black Mountain Tower, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, the National Zoo and Aquarium, the National Dinosaur Museum and Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre.

A copy of every book published in Australia is required by law to be held by the National Library of Australia.

The Canberra Museum and Gallery in the city is a repository of local history and art. Several historic homes are open to the public: Lanyon and Tuggeranong Homesteads in the Tuggeranong Valley, Mugga-Mugga in Symonston, and Blundells' Cottage in Parkes all display the lifestyle of the early European settlers. Calthorpes' House in Red Hillis a well preserved example of a 1920s house from Canberra's very early days. Canberra has many venues for live music and theatre: the Canberra Theatre and Playhouse which hosts many major concerts and productions; and Llewellyn Hall (within the ANU School of Music), a world-class concert hall are two of the most notable. The Street Theatre is a venue with less mainstream offerings.The Albert Hall was the city's first performing arts venue, opened in 1928. It was the original performance venue for theatre groups such as the Canberra Repertory Society.

Stonefest at the University of Canberra is a large two-day music festival. There are numerous bars and nightclubs which also offer live entertainment, particularly concentrated in the areas of Dickson, Kingston and the city. Most town centres have facilities for a community theatre and a cinema, and they all have a library. Popular cultural events include the National Folk Festival, the Royal Canberra Show, the Summernats car festival, the Canberra Multicultural Festival in February and the Celebrate Canberra festival held over 10 days in March in conjunction with Canberra Day.

Canberra–Nara park with Kasuga stone lanterns framed by the gate

Canberra maintains sister-city relationships with both Nara, Japan and Beijing, China. Canberra has friendship-city relationships with both Dili, East Timor and Hangzhou, China. City-to-city relationships encourage communities and special interest groups both locally and abroad to engage in a wide range of exchange activities. The Canberra Nara Candle Festival held annually in spring, is a community celebration of the Canberra Nara Sister City relationship. The festival is held in Canberra Nara Park on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

The Canberra city plan was conceived by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin – a partnership of architects chosen from a world-wide competition to design the city in 1912.

Iconic buildings on the Canberra skyline are the monuments in the Parliamentary Triangle and around Lake Burley Griffin. They include the National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery, National Library of Australia, High Court of Australia, Museum of Australian Democracy at the Old Parliament House, National Carillon, National Museum of Australia, and Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre to name a few.

Commonwealth Place sweeps in a broad arc on Lake Burley Griffin and cradles a view across the avenue to the Australian War Memorial and Anzac Parade and on the other side to the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and Parliament House. The Australian of the Year Walk and Reconciliation Place are nearby.

Art Deco architecture is well preserved in Canberra with the wonderful public swimming baths at Manuka Pool, the National Film and Sound Archive, the Australian War Memorial, the ANU School of Art, Albert Hall, the Hyatt Hotel Canberra and the Drill Hall Gallery as prime examples.

Parliament House is a symbol of Australian democracy. Home to the Parliament of Australia and meeting place of the nation, Parliament House is the focal point of Canberra, its capital city. One of Australia's most iconic buildings, Parliament House integrates Australia's unique identity into its impressive architecture, stunning art and furniture collection, and beautiful landscape. Visit a working Parliament building - hear what the Government is doing, see new laws being made, listen to debate about issues of the day - and be a part of democracy in action.

Parliament House is a constant crowd-pleaser with free guided tours that begin every thirty minutes. The building is an architectural wonder with outstanding landscaping that is complemented by white pillars. It's an impressive site to visit. There's an incredible collection of 4, 000 works of art in these hallowed halls. Government House is the official residence of Australia’s Governor General.

Events and activities conducted at Government House include receptions; investiture and credential ceremonies; state dinners for visiting Royalty and heads of state; and functions for community and special needs groups.

The 54 hectare property is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage list. The house and grounds are not open to the public, however look out for open days throughout the year.

Enjoy a good view of the building from a lookout on Lady Denman Drive, south of Scrivener Dam.

See Australia's Constitutional court and highest court of appeal in a stunning building by Lake Burley Griffin in the Parliamentary Zone.

Visit the court's three courtrooms and see the impressive artworks depicting the development of the Australian nation and its constitution.

High Court Guides will assist you to appreciate the symbolism and functionality of this extraordinary building. Sitting courts are open to the public.

The High Court-National Gallery precinct is on the National Heritage List for the outstanding design of its late twentieth century civic buildings, and cohesive landscape setting.

The International Flag Display colourfully acknowledges the United Nations and those that maintain a diplomatic presence in the National Capital. The 90 plus flags fly from two offset rows of flagpoles along the promenade between the High Court and the National Library on the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin. The International Flag Display flies continuously and is lit at night. Each flag pole has a plaque at its base identifying the nation the flag represents.

ANZAC Parade is the national capital's major commemorative way. Memorials dedicated to Australian and New Zealand service people who've fought and lost lives in war line the length of the Parade. The red gravel central strip of this visually powerful landmark was originally made from crushed Canberra house bricks, chosen, in part, to echo the crunch made by military boots during a parade.

ANZAC parade's dark eucalypt 'walls' are created by Victorian Blue Gum. The planter boxes are sewn with native New Zealand Hebe Otari Delight to symbolize the ANZAC connection.

All Saints Church was erected in 1958 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows and a heritage pipe organ. All Saints' stone used to be part of the mortuary railway station at Rookwood, Sydney. The former railway station was painstakingly dismantled and transported stone by stone to Canberra.

The Anglican Church of St John the Baptist predates the nation's capital by 70 years. The Church, graveyard and schoolhouse are living reminders of Canberra’s pioneering farming community.

This beautiful, high steepled church is built of local bluestone and sandstone. It was consecrated in 1845.

The memorials on the church walls commemorate local parishioners, statesmen, servicemen, scientists, scholars and distinguished churchmen. The church is famous for its ambience, pipe organ, bells, stained glass windows and other works of art.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Centre features beautiful mosaics, a small museum featuring Ukrainian arts and crafts, including embroidery, wood carving, ceramics, iconography and objects of religious significance in the Orthodox Christian tradition.

You may see spectacular 360 degree night and day views of Canberra's region from Black Mountain Tower and feel the wind in your hair on open viewing platforms.

This 195 metre tower provides essential communications facilities for the national capital.

You can explore the world in miniature at Cockington Green Gardens, see highly detailed miniature buildings and magical landscaped gardens, take a miniature steam-train ride, marvel at detailed replicas of actual buildings, see Scotland’s Braemer Castle, the Ukraine’s St Andrew’s Church, Chateau De Ruit from Mauritius and many more.

Cockington Green is only 15 minutes from Canberra’s centre.

Visit one of Canberra's earliest historic sites. Discover what life was like in an 1830's rural workers' cottage. Learn more at the environmental education centre.

Take a guided tour. See how the exhibitions and the cottage has been ingeniously adopted and extended over time.

The National Carillon is a striking 50 metre tall architectural landmark. It is also an impressive musical instrument with 55 bronze bells, each weighing between seven kilograms and six tonnes. The Carillon was a gift of the British Government to the people of Australia in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Capital.

Aspen Island is the perfect place to enjoy one of the regular carillon recitals and have a picnic.

Visit more than 100, 000 works of art and world-class art exhibitions at the National Gallery of Australia.

See the famous Blue poles. Discover Australian art, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Asian art and international art. Wander through the Art of the Indian Subcontinent Gallery for the largest collection of art, sculptures and textiles in the region outside of India. Be sure to visit the dedicated Pacific Arts Gallery.

All gallery works belong to the people of Australia and are preserved and presented for your enjoyment and education.

The Australian-American Memorial is a 73-metre column topped with an 11-metre eagle and sphere. Located in front of Defence Headquarters Russell, it was paid for with donations from the Australian public in thanks for American involvement in the Pacific region during World War II.

Russell is at one corner of the National Triangle central to Walter Burley Griffin's design for Canberra and the location is a key element in that design

Floriade is Australia's " Celebration of Spring", and is a world-class floral exhibition. More than a million blooms go into the show, which stretches from mid September to Mid October.

As well as the stunning exhibits, there are also horticultural workshops, music, local artistry and events that include the spectacular Floriade Night Fest.

Canberra has a lively nightlife due to the many young people who call it home. There are more cafes and restaurants per person than anywhere in Australia. If you like hitting the nightclubs or sampling local food, you'll love Canberra. If this has convinced you to visit, then you'll be happy to know that Canberra is an easy drive from Sydney, or you can snap up cheap flights from Melbourne or Perth.

Children's Attractions

If you're travelling with children, try these Canberra sites that cater to kids of all ages.

•The National Zoo has the requisite unusual animals from the Land Down Under plus their own collection of monkeys, cheetahs, “tigons” and bears.

•At the Australian Institute of Sport, kids can challenge themselves with wheelchair basketball, virtual rowing and other activities.

•Cockington Green has a miniature train that travels on a bridge over a village of miniature buildings.

•Your family can enjoy biking, boating or rollerblading around Lake Burley Griffin.